After a month-long struggle to fill the House speaker’s chair, Republicans are facing further obstacles as their latest nominee, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., seeks to secure the position. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has introduced a surprising proposal that could see him return to the speakership, this time with Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, serving as assistant speaker, according to NBC News.
The reported pitch comes after three consecutive nominees faced opposition and were unable to secure the position due to internal conflicts within the Republican Party. The first nominee, Rep. Steve Scalise, was brought down by allies of Jordan. Scalise’s allies then crippled Jordan’s nomination, and finally, Rep. Tom Emmer faced opposition from former President Donald Trump himself.
It remains uncertain whether Johnson, the latest nominee, stands a better chance than his predecessors. Furthermore, the viability of a co-speakership position is also unclear. Some GOP lawmakers have expressed desperation, suggesting that the McCarthy-Jordan idea emerged out of a sense of urgency.
Proponents of the proposal draw parallels to the previous relationship between Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as speaker, and Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., as assistant speaker from 2021-2023. However, McCarthy has neither confirmed nor denied the potential arrangement, stating only that “Republicans are talking” when asked about it.
For the plan to materialize, Johnson’s nomination would need to be withdrawn. Johnson received 128 votes in the final round of voting at an internal GOP meeting, while McCarthy received 43 votes. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., also received 29 votes in the same round, adding further complexity to the situation.
The selection process began with five candidates making their pitches to the conference before the voting commenced. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., and Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, were eliminated in the subsequent rounds of voting. Emmer, who initially won multiple rounds of voting, eventually withdrew his bid due to strong opposition from within the conference and from Trump.
The Republican Party’s struggle to select a House speaker continues, highlighting the internal divisions and conflicts within the party. The uncertainty surrounding the nomination process raises doubts about the party’s ability to unite and effectively lead in the House of Representatives.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events.
